Festival FAQ

1.) What are the hours that the Millennium Park is open?Millennium Park is open every day from 6 am to 11 pm.

2.) Can I save seats in the Pavilion?

General seating in the Pavilion and on the Great Lawn is available on a first-come, first-served basis. In the seating bowl, you may save only one seat prior to the start of each show. Once the show has started, you must relinquish your seat. Please note that Millennium Park reserves the right to close the seating bowl and Great Lawn due to reaching capacity and appreciates your cooperation in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your concert-going experience.

3.) What about items I lost or found in the Park?To inquire about lost or found items in the park, please call 312.744.6050.

4.) May I bring a picnic basket?Yes! Millennium Park is the perfect place for a picnic and a night of music and dining al fresco. However, in order to ensure that events are enjoyable for all attendees and to protect the lawn from wear and tear, please respect the following rules of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion: Tents, oversized umbrellas, oversized blankets or plastic tarps, helium balloons, oversized flags, signs/banners, barbeque grills, open flame candles or staking of any kind are not allowed on the Great Lawn area.

5.) May I buy beer or wine in the Park? How about food?Refreshments, including food, beer and wine, are available for purchase for evening concerts from the concessions tent located to the east of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. In addition, concessions can be purchased throughout the Park, including from the concession carts located on the Chase Promenade and at the Park Grill and Café on the McCormick Tribune Plaza. Alcohol may only be consumed in the seating area and the Great Lawn during the concerts. Alcohol sales in the Millennium Park concession tent end one half-hour prior to the end of the concert.

6.) What is the rain policy? Are the seats in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion covered in case of rain?Concerts and performances in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion are held rain or shine, unless there are severe weather warnings and/or the threat of lightning in the area. The Pavilion seats are not protected from the elements. The Great Lawn has a high-tech design with underlying layers of sand and gravel that allows water to drain quickly.

7.) Are recording devices allowed during a concert?Photography, video or recording devices are prohibited at all concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

8.) May I smoke?Smoking is prohibited in the seating area of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Great Lawn, the Lurie Garden, the east and west arcades by the restrooms and the east and west Exelon Buildings.

9.) May I bring my dog along?Animals are not permitted in Millennium Park, unless they are service animals.

11.) Is there an admission fee to get into the grounds of the Chicago Jazz Festival?No, the Chicago Jazz Festival is free admission.

12.) How do I obtain media credentials?Media requesting credentials to cover the Chicago Jazz Festival must submit requests in advance of the event, no later than two weeks prior to the start of the festival.
Submit requests on media letterhead via fax (312.744.8523) or regular mail: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602.

Please note that NOT all credential requests will be granted.Direct Press Inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.